With many local restaurants and bars opening on reduced hours due to struggles in recruiting staff, and also to protect current employees from suffering burn out, during the challenges of working in the hospitality sector in the current Covid climate, the Mayor of Tenby has offered praise for businesses for pulling out all the stops this busy summer season.

A recently commissioned report by Visit Pembrokeshire on the economic volume and value of tourism in Pembrokeshire from 2017-2019 has found that 7M tourists visit the county each year and that tourism delivers an annual economic value of £590M to the area.

Tourism is a key employment driver in the area, too, with 12,000 people directly employed in the industry, accounting for over a fifth (21 per cent) of the local workforce.

With Tenby experiencing huge visitor numbers since Wales opened up again after Covid restrictions eased, combined with uncertainties over foreign travel, and the challenges of current circumstances, there has been much praise for the efforts of staff in the hospitality and tourism industry, with the Mayor of the town keen to highlight the hard work going on behind the scenes, and by those at the forefront of customer service.

“I want to give a big thank you to all our fabulous businesses and their staff who are doing so much in extraordinary times - we applaud the amazing effort being made and the hours staff are doing,” said Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall

Recognising that all businesses in the seaside resort’s hospitality, retail and other sectors are dealing with unprecedented numbers and demand, the Mayor said that she hoped that people would be patient and kind.

“Tenby excels in providing hospitality, always warm, friendly and generous. It is what the town has always done and always will.

“Some people are discovering Tenby for the first time whilst others are continuing their long association with our town.

“Whilst some things may be different because of Covid, what is not different is the determination of businesses and their staff to provide the very best service to our visitors.”

“I have been speaking with fellow Councillors and we all agree that seeing what is being achieved by staff and businesses makes you proud of Tenby and its people.

“Hopefully, when circumstances allow, we can find a way to celebrate what has been achieved!” she added.

Andrew Campbell, chairman of the Wales Tourism Alliance, said that this summer was vital for the industry, despite the difficulties many venues are experiencing.

“It is great that Wales has become a more popular destination to visit, but many businesses are understaffed, and some are struggling to cope,” he remarked.

“Relatively low pay and working unsocial hours are factors which have affected staff recruitment, so many businesses are struggling to fill vacancies.

“We’ve got the added issue of staff being ordered to self-isolate by the NHS app. It means that those covering for them are having to work longer hours and face more stress. We are facing staff burnout which is threatening the future viability of the industry.”

“During the pandemic people have realised how important tourism and recreation are for mental health. Tourism workers should therefore be classified as key workers because they are vital to the health and well being of the nation.

“Changing perceptions about how the industry is viewed would have positive benefits in attracting staff and young people to follow careers in tourism. It would a helpful first step in addressing the recruitment challenge.”

Pembrokeshire county council’s leader Clr. David Simpson has urged anyone planning on enjoying the area this summer to plan ahead, and to be ‘patient when out and about’.

“We are experiencing a high volume of visitors to the county which can at times add additional pressures on our services.

“We are all working together to move forward after the lockdowns, businesses still have to work differently and some are struggling with staff shortages, so please be patient.

“Due to the high footfall please consider where you are going and what you will do when you are there. Some coastal car parks on nice sunny days are filing by mid-morning,” he added.